Cynical Existence

We're delighted to be able to secure an interview with Fredrik Croona - best known as the vocalist of Project Rotten and Cynical Existence, as well as the co-founder of this magazine.

Happy new year Fredrik. We apologise that this interview took longer than anticipated. Your first full solo project, Cynical Existence just signed a deal with Alfa-Matrix. This has to be exciting - but how do you feel knowing that for the first time, it's your music going out to a wide audience as well as your vocals?
- "Same to you man! It feels really really good , but of course it was a scary feeling from the start since I didn't know what people would think of my music. At this stage tho I have created quite a few songs and I'm actually more scared of what I will think of my own songs and how the next one will sound. In the end it's just sweet to be able to do what I want."

We talked in person about balancing your work with CE and Project Rotten - you've already ended numerous projects due to how busy you are. Do you have a long term plan for either? In addition, you're part of an excellent gore-themed act called Necroleptic - what's going on with that?
- "It's always been a problem balancing more than one band, specially if you only do one or two things in the band. Finding different themes and concepts are really hard when only doing say lyrics and vocals, how ever in CE I do everything so I can keep it more personal and write and do whatever I feel like doing and this makes things so much easier. I honestly have no idea, I think Maik went back to working on his great main band Electric Breathing again."

I talked about Project Rotten's Cybersonik debut with your colleague Kettil in an interview that's debutting the same time as this one. We'd love to hear your thoughts on the evening, now it's been a while.
- "It was a good night apart from the fact that some of the lights were broken and that we had some technical issues which was resolved pretty quick. It was fun to play for the London crowd and it seemed like people had a great time. On my part I got drunk a little too early and had a problem keeping the alcohol flowing until we had to fly back, so next time I'm staying one more night lol."

One of the things you're most well known for is your guest appearances - you've done vocals for Scream Machine and Say Just Words, as well as Anamadim. It's been a while since i've seen you lend your voice - is this a conscious decision?
- "Back then I had nothing other than Menschdefekt and Project Rotten and I made vocals and lyrics for both bands and wanted to do something else. You get bored if you can't try new things and naturally you seek out other bands to work with when you can't make something of your own.
Now I'm too busy with my solo and Project Rotten so I don't really have the energy or the passion to add to something other than those things."

Cynical Existence have one physical EP and one Digital EP on the market. Will the forthcoming album retain many of these tracks?
- "The album will have 4 tracks from the debut EP , but none from the latest one. I wanted to keep my personal favorite tracks from 'A familiar kind of pain' in case some people haven't heard them. Even thought one of the tracks is actually a re-work and that one is so much better than the original."

What is your favourite remix of a track you have written/co-written and why? Also, what is your favourite track that has received a remix by you/Project Rotten/Menschdefekt, and why?
- "Personally? Well that would probably be the remix I did for that satanic Mexican TBM band which they hated because it was more of a fun version I made that sounded nothing like their dark original. Basically I hate doing remixes and I just made that for a friend of mine, kind of like a favor.
I don't think I actually have a favorite, as I stated before remixes isn't really something I am very fond of. Don't get me wrong there are some really amazing work out there , but I prefer original songs."

We don't have anything left to ask you. You're doing well with Cynical Existence, and your live shows don't lack anything. Use this final 'question' as a platform to vent/discuss/plea/ etc. Thank you for giving us your time!
- "We're coming to bleed you dry, and with we I mean Project Rotten.
Cynical Existence is emotions for a soulless generation built by nothing but plastic and distorted crap. Thank you for the support and keep your eyes peeled , cause something is coming soon."